BOOK & TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE

BOOK & TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE

Make a new booking with us and enjoy peace of mind and flexibility to switch dates or pick a new destination up to 30 days before your trip. And when you travel with us, rest reassured that we have put numerous new measures in place to elevate our hygiene standards and protocols.

Make a new booking with us and enjoy total peace of mind and flexibility.

Welcome to Boston, the Cradle of Liberty and once home to such famous sons as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Benjamin Franklin. Amble up and down the City on the Hill on your terms and immerse yourself in its revolutionary history or enjoy a stroll along the waterfront. This evening, we'll meet our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception to kick-start our colour-filled journey through New England landscapes.

meals
Welcome Reception

hotel
Boston Park Plaza

Day 2
Boston – Manchester

March to independence, exploring Boston's historic sites. We'll spend the morning weaving along the Freedom Trail which reveals the rich history of the American revolution. Stop at Lexington and Concord, the site where "the shot heard round the world" was fired. We'll embark on an afternoon drive along the Mohawk Trail, an early Native American and colonial trade route, and the first designated scenic drive in New England.

meals
Breakfast

hotel
The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa

Day 3
Manchester – Burlington

Today we will experience the best Yankee Ingenuity has to offer with a visit to the Vermont Country Store opened In 1946 by Vrest and Ellen Orton in the quaint village of Weston, Vermont. Next we'll drive past picture-perfect farmlands and old-world towns en route to the historic wool mill in Quechee. Watch craftsmen create the delicate glassware that has made Simon Pearce glassblowing workshop famous, delving into the art and science of glassblowing. Then, savour a Regional Meal lunch featuring local ingredients arranged on Simon Pearce's beautiful stem and flatware.

meals
Breakfast, Lunch

hotel
Doubletree Burlington

Day 4
Burlington – North Conway (2 Nights)

Visit Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, where you'll have an opportunity to learn about the company's history, a peek into the manufacturing process, and a Q&A in their flavor room with of course, a sample of one of their euphoric flavors. We continue today's adventure to North Conway, where you'll learn about the local flora and fauna with a Local Specialist for an ecological look at Autumn in the North Woods. The group is taken into the forest and valley below to take a closer look at some of the wildlife that calls New Hampshire home as well as an overview of the spectacular fall colors. The Mt Washington Valley provides the scenic backdrop as we take this fascinating closer look at Autumn.

meals
Breakfast, Dinner

hotel
Red Jacket Mountain View Resort

Day 5
North Conway

Journey along "The Kanc", an American Scenic Byway that cuts through the White Mountain National Forest, admiring the glowing fall colours. Then this afternoon you will have an optional opportunity to learn the true nature and history of Mount Washington and the historical Auto Road. Driven by accomplished and dedicated tour guides, your "stage driver" will offer stories, anecdotes, legends, history and insight into the ecological wonder of Mount Washington, as well as point out interesting features and scenic opportunities from the base to the 6,288-foot summit.

meals
Breakfast

Day 6
North Conway – Bar Harbor (2 nights)

We continue through the lush pine forests, highlands and river valleys that define the rugged Maine landscape. Descending "Downeast", the looming Atlantic swells of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island are our final destination for the day. Join a lobster fisherman and Local Specialist for insights into lobster fishing and tonight, we'll savour a traditional lobster dinner.

meals
Breakfast, Regional Dinner

hotel
Bar Harbor Regency

Day 7
Acadia National Park Excursion

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the highest point along the Atlantic Seaboard. Admire the magnificent view over the Schoodic Peninsula, pink granite cliffs and ancient maple forests - their leaves glowing fiery red, burnt orange and mustard yellow in the crisp autumn air. We'll return to Bar Harbor for an afternoon at leisure or consider joining an optional nature cruise on Frenchman Bay.

meals
Breakfast

Day 8
Bar Harbor – Maine Coast – Portsmouth

The intense hues of New England's forests and mountains linger as we journey south past the rocky beaches and cliffs of Maine's rugged coast. We journey past lighthouses, fisheries and seaside dwellings that have sheltered everyone from local lobstermen to holidaying presidents. Travel south to the mouth of the Piscataqua River and the historic seaport city of Portsmouth, one of the oldest cities in the United States. This evening, we join our fellow travellers for a memorable Farewell Dinner reminiscing over our fall foliage experience.

meals
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

hotel
Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside

Day 9
Portsmouth – Depart Boston

We'll return to Boston and bid farewell to new friends. Transfer to Boston Logan International Airport or to the hotel in Boston if you'd like to extend your stay.

Price Includes

Dining Highlights

First class travel Highlights

Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Cherry-picked hotels all tried and trusted

Handcrafted Highlights

Optional Experiences and free time

All porterage and local charges included

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

An expert Travel Director and separate Driver

All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday

VIP entry to many sights

Sightseeing Highlights

CITY TOUR in Boston

SCENIC DRIVE along the Mohawk Trail, Kancamagus Highway

VIEW Mount Washington

VISIT Woodstock, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, Acadia National Park and Lexington Green and the the Concord Minute Man National Historical Park North Bridge

Dates & Prices

Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon requestTrip prices are based on double occupancy; single supplement discounts are available on select departures, call us at 1-877-622-9109 for more info

Reviews

Could have visited other historical sites which were right their, and other sites of interest close by.

Response from Grand European Travel:

Thank you for your comments. We try be very specific in our brochure and website regarding the itinerary and what sights will be visited. This trip is geared more for viewing the amazing fall foliage and less visiting historical landmarks, but we do apologize for your disappointment. We hope there were some happy memories made along the way.

We would definitely take another trip with GET. We were impressed with the organization and communication skills of the guide. Jeanine was perfect for us old folks, she was patient with us getting out of the bus, telling us what would happen and what to expect. You have a real gem in her. Also, Bill was a very careful driver and we felt safe with him. And, the fall leaves were glorious! We enjoyed meeting the other travelers, the stops along the way, I loved the Vermont Country Store!

Response from Grand European Travel:

Wow! It sounds like you had an amazing time on your Autumn Colors trip. There's nothing like the fall leaves in New England! We look forward to helping you plan and book another guided vacation in the future. All the best!

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Vacation

I thought the agenda was very doable, interesting and time for leisure. Money well spent. We had time on our own and as a group, I liked that.

Need to have a definite plan of travel. The first day we drove an hour west on 90 stopped at rest stop and drove an hour east on 90. We could have used that time to see Boston, which we never did. Didn't explore the freedom trail or any of the revolutionary high spots. Lost many times and late to next destination. We didn't see any of Acadia Nat. Park. Didn't like the seating format. Baggage handling was excellent. Old people don't hike. Maybe Michelle was too young for us. Shopped too much.

Response from Grand European Travel:

We are sorry to hear about your disappointment. This trip does not include sightseeing in Boston, or visits to the Freedom Trail. It only drives by in the motor coach. These are all detailed in the daily itinerary in our brochure and our website. We do apologize for any misunderstanding or if this was not made clear to you when you booked the trip.

Everything went perfectly from start to finish right down to the smallest detail. Our tour guide in Greece (Jason P) was absolutely fabulous !!!!

Response from Grand European Travel:

That's fantastic to hear! Thank you for sharing your comments

Friday, October 13, 2017

Vacation

There were no "autumn colors" which was disappointing but not a deal breaker. Our tour guide Dave was a huge disappointment from not responding to text questions, to non-stop historical dialogue over a much too loud speaker on the bus (after numerous requests to turn down the volume by several passengers). He didn't speak from personal knowledge or the heart (it seemed), we observed him reading directly from his printed notes. He also bragged on numerous occasions that he had been doing this particular tour for years...didn't seem like it. On the day before we left, my husband changed his return flight and sent Dave a VERY specific text that only he would be changing flights (no return confirmation text from Dave again), and then when my husband disembarked the bus with several other people and the bus began to pull away, someone on the bus shouted that there was a bag left on the curb. Guess what?!?!? It was mine and Dave's excuse was that my husband at texted that "we were both getting off there". Fortunately my husband kept his text, which was VERY specific, and fortunately the bus was able to stop and I was able to run back and retrieve my luggage from the sidewalk. We were allowed very limited time at lunch stops to eat and "sight see". There was never time for both. We often had to order food to go and eat on the bus. The other issue was multiple dinners scheduled far too late, followed by very early breakfasts with minimal, if any, healthy options. If I NEVER see scrambled eggs/bacon/sausage/and deep fried potatoes again, it will be too soon.
I booked these two back to back trips as I had traveled with Grand European to Italy several years ago and had one of the most memorable vacations of my life. Had this tour with Dave been my first, I would have NEVER even considered traveling with this company again. So unfortunate. There were many more issues along the way but I would rather not relive the bad memories. Again Greece, and the tour guide there was absolutely amazing. Dave and his Autumn Colors, a HUGE disappointment :(

Response from Grand European Travel:

We are very sorry to hear about this. While every destination and trip are unique, the common thread is the Travel Director who can make or break a trip. It sounds like we missed the mark on this one and for that we sincerely apologize. We will send your comments to Trafalgar for immediate review.

I like the itineraries and the way things are handled. It is a first-class operation.

Vacation

I do not like the fact that we have 54 people on a very cramped bus (the most cramped ever, worse than the airlines). I do not like to be forced to sit with a person I have nothing in common with and I cannot even sit by the window. Getting on and off the bus is a major ordeal and when we get to the hotel in the evening it takes more than an hour to get our luggage. The tour director and driver were excellent and I enjoyed all the places visited.